Phoenix

Nuisance wildlife removal has unfortunately become more necessary as we encroach more and more into their territory. The term nuisance wildlife is used when referring to animals who live in our area but are now encroaching into our homes or causing damage to property. Why does this happen? Obviously there will always be wild animals and we wouldn't want a world where they didn't exist, but what causes them to become a problem?

In most cases it's because their habitat is changing. It's shrinking as more homes and neighborhoods are being built, and commercial development is taking place around us. Sometimes their natural enemies have been removed, so the population numbers are no longer being kept in check. As their numbers grow and there are fewer places to find food and shelter, it's only natural that they turn to our homes and property for shelter and survival. And when they do, they invariably cause property damage and contamination that requires professional animal removal.

Areas that once provided a home for wildlife have been removed to make way for housing, commercial buildings, shopping centers, roads, and parking lots. All of this destruction is forcing animals into communities, increasing interactions between animals and humans, and leading to a conflict that poses a danger for both.

When animals lose not only their habitat but also the prey that serves as a food source, they find themselves needing to turn to other sources. As a result, we see an increase in animals getting into garbage, destroying gardens and crops, and attacking pets or livestock. Encounters with humans can become dangerous, leading to injury — or even death. These increased interactions have lead humans to view them as a nuisance, putting them in danger of being killed in retaliation, or having their populations decreased through legal and illegal hunting practices.

We can hope for a peaceful coexistence once we stop viewing wildlife as a nuisance and remind ourselves that they are only trying to live and survive, just as we are. Humane, non-lethal approaches to population management and prevention of human-animal conflict are a reasonable approach to hunting, trapping, and other methods that result in the killing of animals.

So what can we do to help keep wild animals from potentially becoming a problem or invading your home? The best ways are to know some common-sense steps you can take to make your home unappealing to them so you don't ever have a problem with nuisance wildlife.

Inspect your property to see if there are any cracks or holes where smaller animals like squirrels, rats, or bats could potentially get in and make a home.

Don't leave any food outside for pets, and close up all garbage containers to make it hard to get into. This will keep raccoons, opossums, and other animals from coming around looking for a meal.

Keep tree limbs cut far away from your house so squirrels don't have a way to climb onto it.

Inspect every few months for signs that animals may have found a way in. Have a good pest control company do an inspection. You could be surprised at what they find.

If you hear noises in the attic, or see signs that armadillos are digging up your yard, it's time to call for an animal removal service.

Phoenix Pest Management & Wildlife Control has been humanely trapping and removing animals for home and business owners for almost 20 years. They are trained, experienced, and guarantee their work. For more helpful tips and information on animal removal, go to our Google + page.

Nuisance wildlife removal has unfortunately become more necessary as we encroach more and more into their territory. The term nuisance wildlife is used when referring to animals who live in our area but are now encroaching into our homes or causing damage to property. Why does this happen? Obviously there will always be wild animals and we wouldn’t want a world where they didn’t exist, but what causes them to become a problem?

In most cases it’s because their habitat is changing. It’s shrinking as more homes and neighborhoods are being built, and commercial development is taking place around us. Sometimes their natural enemies have been removed, so the population numbers are no longer being kept in check. As their numbers grow and there are fewer places to find food and shelter, it’s only natural that they turn to our homes and property for shelter and survival. And when they do, they invariably cause property damage and contamination that requires professional animal removal.

Areas that once provided a home for wildlife have been removed to make way for housing, commercial buildings, shopping centers, roads, and parking lots. All of this destruction is forcing animals into communities, increasing interactions between animals and humans, and leading to a conflict that poses a danger for both.

When animals lose not only their habitat but also the prey that serves as a food source, they find themselves needing to turn to other sources. As a result, we see an increase in animals getting into garbage, destroying gardens and crops, and attacking pets or livestock. Encounters with humans can become dangerous, leading to injury — or even death. These increased interactions have lead humans to view them as a nuisance, putting them in danger of being killed in retaliation, or having their populations decreased through legal and illegal hunting practices.

We can hope for a peaceful coexistence once we stop viewing wildlife as a nuisance and remind ourselves that they are only trying to live and survive, just as we are. Humane, non-lethal approaches to population management and prevention of human-animal conflict are a reasonable approach to hunting, trapping, and other methods that result in the killing of animals.

So what can we do to help keep wild animals from potentially becoming a problem or invading your home? The best ways are to know some common-sense steps you can take to make your home unappealing to them so you don’t ever have a problem with nuisance wildlife.

Inspect your property to see if there are any cracks or holes where smaller animals like squirrels, rats, or bats could potentially get in and make a home.

Don’t leave any food outside for pets, and close up all garbage containers to make it hard to get into. This will keep raccoons, opossums, and other animals from coming around looking for a meal.

Keep tree limbs cut far away from your house so squirrels don’t have a way to climb onto it.

Inspect every few months for signs that animals may have found a way in. Have a good pest control company do an inspection. You could be surprised at what they find.

If you hear noises in the attic, or see signs that armadillos are digging up your yard, it’s time to call for an animal removal service.

Phoenix Pest Management & Wildlife Control has been humanely trapping and removing animals for home and business owners for almost 20 years. They are trained, experienced, and guarantee their work. For more helpful tips and information on animal removal, go to our Google + page.

Could you have bed bugs in your home? When I think of bed bugs, I certainly don't think that they could be in my house, or in my bed. Instead, I think of cheap hotels with dirty sheets. But the reality is that they are also in high-end hotels that are kept clean and have moved into many homes in America. Could they be in your home? Absolutely.They are now found in abundance worldwide and if you travel, then there's a good chance you've had a few hitchhike their way home with you. If you don't travel, just one guest who does can bring them into your home. They can get into your clothes and suitcases in hotel rooms, and you could pick up a few merely by being in the same room with them. Your kids or grandchildren can bring them in from friends' homes.

How did bed bugs get to be so prevalent, and where did the surge in their population start? Brandon Baker, who is a contributing author to PhillyVoice recently answered this question in an interview he did with Greg Cowper, curatorial assistant in the Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences‘ entomology department.

Q: When were they most actively seen in the United States?

A: By the 20th century, bed bugs were well established in the U.S. affecting all stratum of society. In lower-income areas, they were considered Public Enemy No. 1, but some surveys showed at least one-third of residences in some cities were infested.

Q: What’s with the resurgence in recent years? I seem to recall there being huge media hype over it circa 2010, but then it all sort of tapered off and turned from panic to the new normal. And it’s a scary new normal. Are they sticking around?

A: By the mid-20th-century, bed bugs were all but gone from the developed world. The resurgence began in the 1990s and continues to the present. DDT had been very effective in controlling insect pests including bed bugs but was banned in 1972 for environmental, ecological and health and safety concerns. In addition to the loss of this pesticide, globalization, cheap airfare to anywhere in the world, urbanization and population density have all contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs.

Q: Has there been any progress toward creating an insecticide that better exterminates them? And how can people keep them out?

Brandon goes on to tell how bed bugs got their name and some best practices for keeping them out of your home. You can read the rest of his article here: PhillyVoice.

Should you be concerned? You will be when you see the bites they can leave. Maybe you thought your bites were from fleas or mosquitoes, but they could be from bed bugs instead.

If you suspect that you might have a bed bug problem, or you just want peace of mind knowing that you don't, then you should have your home and mattresses checked for signs of an infestation. Bed bug control is just one of the services we offer with our comprehensive pest control. Call us today at 813-778-4181 for an appointment.

Could you have bed bugs in your home? When I think of bed bugs, I certainly don’t think that they could be in my house, or in my bed. Instead, I think of cheap hotels with dirty sheets. But the reality is that they are also in high-end hotels that are kept clean and have moved into many homes in America. Could they be in your home? Absolutely.They are now found in abundance worldwide and if you travel, then there’s a good chance you’ve had a few hitchhike their way home with you. If you don’t travel, just one guest who does can bring them into your home. They can get into your clothes and suitcases in hotel rooms, and you could pick up a few merely by being in the same room with them. Your kids or grandchildren can bring them in from friends’ homes.

How did bed bugs get to be so prevalent, and where did the surge in their population start? Brandon Baker, who is a contributing author to PhillyVoice recently answered this question in an interview he did with Greg Cowper, curatorial assistant in the Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences‘ entomology department.

Q: When were they most actively seen in the United States?

A: By the 20th century, bed bugs were well established in the U.S. affecting all stratum of society. In lower-income areas, they were considered Public Enemy No. 1, but some surveys showed at least one-third of residences in some cities were infested.

Q: What’s with the resurgence in recent years? I seem to recall there being huge media hype over it circa 2010, but then it all sort of tapered off and turned from panic to the new normal. And it’s a scary new normal. Are they sticking around?

A: By the mid-20th-century, bed bugs were all but gone from the developed world. The resurgence began in the 1990s and continues to the present. DDT had been very effective in controlling insect pests including bed bugs but was banned in 1972 for environmental, ecological and health and safety concerns. In addition to the loss of this pesticide, globalization, cheap airfare to anywhere in the world, urbanization and population density have all contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs.

Q: Has there been any progress toward creating an insecticide that better exterminates them? And how can people keep them out?

Brandon goes on to tell how bed bugs got their name and some best practices for keeping them out of your home. You can read the rest of his article here: PhillyVoice.

Should you be concerned? You will be when you see the bites they can leave. Maybe you thought your bites were from fleas or mosquitoes, but they could be from bed bugs instead.

If you suspect that you might have a bed bug problem, or you just want peace of mind knowing that you don’t, then you should have your home and mattresses checked for signs of an infestation. Bed bug control is just one of the services we offer with our comprehensive pest control. Call us today at 813-778-4181 for an appointment.

There are very few pests that can cause the same reaction that roaches do. Everyone hates them and for good reason. There's nothing good about them, they're dirty, and they carry germs and diseases. You certainly don't want them in your home or business.

Roaches have been around for a very long time and they're a fact of life when you live in Florida. There are over 3,500 varieties but only a few of those are what we have to deal with here. Some are typically found outside and some like to live indoors. Whether you use a pest control service or choose to do it yourself, there are some basic things you can do to help keep them out.

So, how do you keep a population of roaches from taking over your home? Be clean; even a crumb is a feast for a cockroach. Clean your kitchen every night, and put away all food, including pet food. Roaches like pet food as much as your pet does.

Quickly fix leaks in the kitchen or bath because even small amounts of water will attract roaches. Some factors out of your control, such as climate, attract roaches, too. Some roaches come in from outdoors, like Smokey Browns, and they like warm climates. Others, like German cockroaches, live almost exclusively indoors, and the outdoor climate doesn’t matter to them.

To help get rid of roach populations, some new roach baits are now on the market. They are very effective, so you may not need to use as many pesticides as we once did. However, if you already have a large roach population, you will probably have to spray some kind of pesticide.

Remember when you spray that roaches like crevices. They prefer for their backs and legs to touch the surface at the same time.

You will usually know if you've got a roach problem because they leave droppings and dirt behind. It doesn't take long before you may have a full-blown infestation. Sometimes they will live in the walls, under the floors, and in the crawl spaces, and they come out through vents, electrical outlets, and any crack or crevice they can find.

It can be a full-time job if you're trying to keep them under control yourself, but if you even suspect that you have an infestation, you should definitely call a good pest control company to provide service. Once they have them under control, most companies will let you choose a monthly or quarterly plan, depending on your needs.

There are very few pests that can cause the same reaction that roaches do. Everyone hates them and for good reason. There’s nothing good about them, they’re dirty, and they carry germs and diseases. You certainly don’t want them in your home or business.

Roaches have been around for a very long time and they’re a fact of life when you live in Florida. There are over 3,500 varieties but only a few of those are what we have to deal with here. Some are typically found outside and some like to live indoors. Whether you use a pest control service or choose to do it yourself, there are some basic things you can do to help keep them out.

So, how do you keep a population of roaches from taking over your home? Be clean; even a crumb is a feast for a cockroach. Clean your kitchen every night, and put away all food, including pet food. Roaches like pet food as much as your pet does.

Quickly fix leaks in the kitchen or bath because even small amounts of water will attract roaches. Some factors out of your control, such as climate, attract roaches, too. Some roaches come in from outdoors, like Smokey Browns, and they like warm climates. Others, like German cockroaches, live almost exclusively indoors, and the outdoor climate doesn’t matter to them.

To help get rid of roach populations, some new roach baits are now on the market. They are very effective, so you may not need to use as many pesticides as we once did. However, if you already have a large roach population, you will probably have to spray some kind of pesticide.

Remember when you spray that roaches like crevices. They prefer for their backs and legs to touch the surface at the same time.

You will usually know if you’ve got a roach problem because they leave droppings and dirt behind. It doesn’t take long before you may have a full-blown infestation. Sometimes they will live in the walls, under the floors, and in the crawl spaces, and they come out through vents, electrical outlets, and any crack or crevice they can find.

It can be a full-time job if you’re trying to keep them under control yourself, but if you even suspect that you have an infestation, you should definitely call a good pest control company to provide service. Once they have them under control, most companies will let you choose a monthly or quarterly plan, depending on your needs.

Steve Barker, owner of Phoenix Pest Management & Wildlife Control, is a featured pest control and wildlife control expert on News Channel 8, WFLA in Tampa FL. Here is one of the first interviews Steve did on air on the show, and he gives valuable insights into animal proofing your homes to keep unwanted wildlife from getting in.

There are four types of squirrels commonly found in Florida - the Southern Flying Squirrel, Mexican Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, and the Eastern Gray Squirrel. They're also called tree squirrels and because they typically spend most of their time in trees. It doesn't matter which type you see around your house, all of them can become a pest that you may need to deal with.

Some of the more common problems with squirrels are that they like to get into bird feeders, go down chimneys, and nest in attics or anywhere in a building they can get into. Once inside you'll probably have to call for a wildlife removal specialist to get them out. The best thing is to plan ahead and cover any areas where they can potentially get in.

If a squirrel gets into your chimney and can't get out, you may have to open the flue so it can drop down into the fireplace. Before you do, have a plan for getting it your of your home. Or, if you can get on the roof,

drop down a thick rope or cloth, such as strips of a sheet, so the squirrel can climb out. It is a good idea to tie knots in the rope or cloth 12 inches apart, to provide a secure climbing surface. You may have to tie a couple of lengths together to reach the bottom of the chimney. Tie something to provide weight to the bottom of the rope or cloth, such as a pair of pliers, or other small heavy object.

Lower the rope or cloth slowly, make sure this reaches the bottom, and then secure it at the top. Leave the area completely alone. The squirrel should climb out in 1 to 24 hours. Never leave the squirrel in the chimney or exhaust fan longer than 24 hours—it will die from dehydration. If needed, call a wildlife control company.

After you are sure no animals are down the chimney, cap it with a commercially engineered chimney cap. Most hardware stores carry these, and chimney cover manufacturers are able to custom fit covers for unusual chimneys.

Tips to prevent squirrels from becoming a problem:

Don’t feed squirrels. Tree squirrels that are hand-fed may lose their fear of humans and become aggressive when they don’t get food as expected. These semi-tame squirrels also might approach a neighbor who doesn’t share your appreciation of the animals, which would likely result in them dying.

Eliminate access into buildings. Repair or replace loose or rotting siding, boards, and shingles. When inspecting a building for potential access points, use a tall ladder to view areas in shadows. A pair of low-power (4x) binoculars can be a helpful inspection tool to use before making a dangerous climb. Inspecting the attic or crawl space during the day may reveal light shining through otherwise unnoticed cracks and holes. Native squirrels chew holes 2 inches in diameter; Eastern gray and fox squirrels chew open baseball size holes.

Cover the dryer vent with a commercial vent screen designed to exclude animals without lint clogging. Other vents can be covered with ¼-inch hardware cloth. Some roof-vent caps contain a flimsy, lightweight inner screen that a squirrel can easily penetrate. If the screen has been penetrated, it may be better to replace the whole vent cap with something stronger.

Because squirrels are excellent leapers, keep tree and shrub branches 10 feet away from the sides and tops of buildings. To prevent squirrels from climbing a tree to access a building, install one of the barriers shown in Figure 6. Remove vines that provide squirrels a way to climb structures and hide their access points.

Prevent squirrels from accessing buildings via utility wires by installing 3-foot sections of 2- to 3-inch diameter plastic pipe barriers. Carefully split the pipe lengthwise with a saw, tin snips, or a sharp utility knife, spread the opening apart, and place it over the wire. The pipe will rotate on the wire and the squirrel will tumble off. Do not attempt to install pipe over high-voltage wires. Contact your local electricity/utility company for assistance.

Squirrels in the Attic

If a squirrel gets into your attic, you'll want to have it removed.

Squirrels gather insulation for nests, create noise (especially on stormy days or nights when squirrels are less likely to be out for food), and may chew electrical wiring, causing electrical problems or fires. Because attics can be difficult to access and maneuvering around in them can be dangerous, it is recommended that a professional be hired when attics are involved.
If a squirrel has spent a prolonged amount of time in an area with exposed wiring, check your smoke detectors to make sure they are functioning in case of a fire. Also, inspect the area for wire damage or have an electrician inspect it.

Killing tree squirrels is also, at best, a short-term solution to any problem you may have. As long as you provide food or shelter and additional squirrels are in the area, other squirrels will move in to replace the ones that you have removed. Don’t trap a problem squirrel in a live trap, thinking that you can release it in another location. Doing so may be illegal.

The best choice is to call Phoenix Pest Management & Wildlife Control, who is trained in trapping and removal, and abides by the state and local laws and restrictions regarding squirrel relocation or elimination.

There are four types of squirrels commonly found in Florida - the Southern Flying Squirrel, Mexican Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, and the Eastern Gray Squirrel. They’re also called tree squirrels and because they typically spend most of their time in trees. It doesn’t matter which type you see around your house, all of them can become a pest that you may need to deal with.

Some of the more common problems with squirrels are that they like to get into bird feeders, go down chimneys, and nest in attics or anywhere in a building they can get into. Once inside you’ll probably have to call for a wildlife removal specialist to get them out. The best thing is to plan ahead and cover any areas where they can potentially get in.

If a squirrel gets into your chimney and can’t get out, you may have to open the flue so it can drop down into the fireplace. Before you do, have a plan for getting it your of your home. Or, if you can get on the roof,

drop down a thick rope or cloth, such as strips of a sheet, so the squirrel can climb out. It is a good idea to tie knots in the rope or cloth 12 inches apart, to provide a secure climbing surface. You may have to tie a couple of lengths together to reach the bottom of the chimney. Tie something to provide weight to the bottom of the rope or cloth, such as a pair of pliers, or other small heavy object.

Lower the rope or cloth slowly, make sure this reaches the bottom, and then secure it at the top. Leave the area completely alone. The squirrel should climb out in 1 to 24 hours. Never leave the squirrel in the chimney or exhaust fan longer than 24 hours—it will die from dehydration. If needed, call a wildlife control company.

After you are sure no animals are down the chimney, cap it with a commercially engineered chimney cap. Most hardware stores carry these, and chimney cover manufacturers are able to custom fit covers for unusual chimneys.

Tips to prevent squirrels from becoming a problem:

Don’t feed squirrels. Tree squirrels that are hand-fed may lose their fear of humans and become aggressive when they don’t get food as expected. These semi-tame squirrels also might approach a neighbor who doesn’t share your appreciation of the animals, which would likely result in them dying.

Eliminate access into buildings. Repair or replace loose or rotting siding, boards, and shingles. When inspecting a building for potential access points, use a tall ladder to view areas in shadows. A pair of low-power (4x) binoculars can be a helpful inspection tool to use before making a dangerous climb. Inspecting the attic or crawl space during the day may reveal light shining through otherwise unnoticed cracks and holes. Native squirrels chew holes 2 inches in diameter; Eastern gray and fox squirrels chew open baseball size holes.

Cover the dryer vent with a commercial vent screen designed to exclude animals without lint clogging. Other vents can be covered with ¼-inch hardware cloth. Some roof-vent caps contain a flimsy, lightweight inner screen that a squirrel can easily penetrate. If the screen has been penetrated, it may be better to replace the whole vent cap with something stronger.

Because squirrels are excellent leapers, keep tree and shrub branches 10 feet away from the sides and tops of buildings. To prevent squirrels from climbing a tree to access a building, install one of the barriers shown in Figure 6. Remove vines that provide squirrels a way to climb structures and hide their access points.

Prevent squirrels from accessing buildings via utility wires by installing 3-foot sections of 2- to 3-inch diameter plastic pipe barriers. Carefully split the pipe lengthwise with a saw, tin snips, or a sharp utility knife, spread the opening apart, and place it over the wire. The pipe will rotate on the wire and the squirrel will tumble off. Do not attempt to install pipe over high-voltage wires. Contact your local electricity/utility company for assistance.

Squirrels in the Attic

If a squirrel gets into your attic, you’ll want to have it removed.

Squirrels gather insulation for nests, create noise (especially on stormy days or nights when squirrels are less likely to be out for food), and may chew electrical wiring, causing electrical problems or fires. Because attics can be difficult to access and maneuvering around in them can be dangerous, it is recommended that a professional be hired when attics are involved.
If a squirrel has spent a prolonged amount of time in an area with exposed wiring, check your smoke detectors to make sure they are functioning in case of a fire. Also, inspect the area for wire damage or have an electrician inspect it.

Killing tree squirrels is also, at best, a short-term solution to any problem you may have. As long as you provide food or shelter and additional squirrels are in the area, other squirrels will move in to replace the ones that you have removed. Don’t trap a problem squirrel in a live trap, thinking that you can release it in another location. Doing so may be illegal.

The best choice is to call Phoenix Pest Management & Wildlife Control, who is trained in trapping and removal, and abides by the state and local laws and restrictions regarding squirrel relocation or elimination.

Steve Barker, owner of Phoenix Pest Management & Wildlife Control, is a featured pest control and wildlife control expert on News Channel 8, WFLA in Tampa FL. Here is one of the first interviews Steve did on air on the show, and he gives valuable insights into animal proofing your homes to keep unwanted wildlife from getting in.